Draw promises fiery clashes at Asian Women’s Championship

17 Aug. 2021

Draw promises fiery clashes at Asian Women’s Championship

Twelve teams will be ready to battle for one of the coveted Women’s World Championship spots, when the 2021 Asian Women’s Championship throws off in Amman, Jordan on 15 September. 

With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting daily and sporting life all over the world, the 18th edition of the Asian Women’s Championship, due to take place from 10 to 22 December 2020 in the Republic of Korea, was postponed to 2021.

With the current health situation still being a problem, the Asian Handball Fedration (AHF) decided to move the event to Jordan, where it will be held for the third time.

The Asian Women’s Championship, the qualification event for the 25th IHF Women’s World Championship in Spain in December, will take place from 15 to 25 September, with the top six teams earning safe passage to Spain 2021. 

The draw for the group phase of the Asian Women’s Championship took place in Amman on 11 August the presence of AHF Financial Director Bader Al-Theyab, AHF Executive Director Dr Ahmad Abu Al-Lail and President of the Jordan Handball Federation  Dr Tayseer Mansi, as the 12 sides were placed in two groups of six teams each.

Title holders, Republic of Korea, will face Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Qatar and Uzbekistan in Group A, while former winners Japan face hosts Jordan, Iran, India, Kuwait and Afghanistan in Group B.
 


The Korean side, who won 14 of the 17 Asian Women’s Championship editions, securing a medal in every edition, are considered favourites after finishing eighth at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 handball tournament.

They are also riding a 22-game unbeaten run in the competition, having lost their last game in the final of the 2010 Asian Women’s Championship, 32:33 against Kazakhstan.

However, a hefty challenge will come from Japan, an experienced side, who won the silver medal at the last three Asian Women’s Championship editions. 

The two sides also met at Tokyo 2020, when the Republic of Korea sealed a 27:24 win against Japan.

Afghanistan will make their debut in the competition, while hosts Jordan will take part for the first time since the inaugural Asian Women’s Championship, which they hosted in 1987. Kuwait, Qatar and Singapore are also playing in the competition only for the second time.

Photo: AHF